SUNDAY, JAN.1 2017: Tacoma event paired with craft beer
CHOO CHOO
There are some hobbies better kept to yourself. You know, the ones you do alone in your basement late at night. And then there are some truly cool hobbies, like model railroads. These should be celebrated and dragged out in the open for all to admire. Which is why the 21st Annual Model Train Festival, downtown Tacoma’s biggest model railroad exposition (taking into account, of course, the relatively small size of the subjects at hand because they are, of course, models), is being held through today, instead of like, a half-hour. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy every floor of the Washington State History Museum filled with operating modular layouts. But remember to look both ways before crossing, and keep your pennies to yourself.
PREFUNK: Thirty years ago, a young couple in Juneau, Alaska, started a brewery — a common occurrence today. But back then, there were fewer than 100 breweries operating in the US and none in Alaska. Now, the Alaskan Brewing Company ranks 22 out of more than 4,300 craft breweries by volume. As a celebration of 30 years in the business, Alaskan released a special 30th Anniversary Beer, Perseverance Ale, a Russian imperial stout with historical significance and Alaskan. The style choice is a nod to Alaska’s rich Russian history, which “Seward’s Folly” officially ended on March 30, 1867, with the purchase of the vast territory in the name of the United States. Added to this traditional Russian imperial stout style are Alaskan birch syrup and alder-smoked malts. The name refers to an ethic that has seen the brewery through many years of development, hardships and innovation. It is also a reference to the Perseverance Gold Mine, which operated in Juneau from 1912 to 1921. It was considered one of the most innovative mines, with a method of extracting gold that avoided many of the powerful chemicals used in other contemporary operations. For a time, it was the largest gold mine in the world. Anyway, Alaskan Perseverance Ale is pouring from Peaks and Pints’ western red cedar tap log. Drop by today for a pint and watch the game on our 130-inch screen.
